Meet Gayle Day, a singer/songwriter whose artistry far exceeds simple definition. She is many things: a mother, a vegan, an activist, a business woman, a savior of abandoned dogs and a daughter of England transported to the west coast of California. Above all, she is a musical communicator whose words and music mirror the adventure in her soul and the expansiveness of her heart.
With her new CD, Seven Songs, Gayle advances an artistry that enthralled audiences of her two previous releases, Freedom Paradise and Beautiful Dangerous. In Los Angeles, she has performed at marquee venues like Hotel Café, The Mint and Genghis Cohen and outdoor concerts like worldfest. Additionally, her music has launched her on a series of national tours.
“A lot has happened in two years,” says Gayle of the interlude between releases. “I feel a lot more positive.” Adding to that energy is the addition of a daughter, her first child, to her life. “Everyone says when you have a baby it?s the best love imagined,” she notes. “Now she?s two, she?s communicating with me. She?s my buddy.” This bright energy illuminates Gayle?s song, “I Couldn?t Love You More,” a treatise on new motherhood.
But there is much more to Gayle?s music than hearts and flowers. Among her new songs is “Eskimo,” inspired by a harrowing tale of drug addiction as confessed to her by a close friend. “She came to my house to tell me she was going to rehab. She reiterated to me a conversation she?d had with a friend who was a former addict who said he would be her Eskimo and bring her in from the cold.” From this scenario, Gayle was instantly inspired to write a song.
The ability to channel other?s emotions, and to speak their words, is a trademark of Gayle?s artistry. It is a talent that she first exhibited as a young student at the famed Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in the UK. Earlier, foreshadowing her move to the United States, she?d often adapt an American accent and assume a Yankee identity. Her first stateside venture was as a drama camp counselor.
And timing is everything: Gayle arrived Manhattan on September 9, 2001. She had little with her, but she remembers she did buy a bed a few days later. The day of the disaster she went walking with her dog in the park, met another songwriter, wrote a song about 9/11, performed it at an open mic that night, and never encountered him again. In 2003, she moved to Los Angeles.
Gayle confirms the numerological connection of the lucky number seven in her title, Seven Songs. There?s more to music than luck: Gayle is at the center of many vital musical communities. She has co-written with Tim Fagan (Colbie Caillat/Jason Mraz), Richard Harris (Katherine McPhee), Andrea Remanda (Aretha Franklin), Larry J. McNally (Eagles) and Alissa Moreno (Rascal Flatts).
In visual mediums, Gayle?s songs have been featured on television shows like The Hills, Curl Girls and the feature film, The Dead Girl. Capitalizing on these successes, Gayle and nine other songwriters founded an independent music licensing company that she runs that now has a division devoted to booking artists across the United States. Gayle was also a co-producer of the first Los Angeles Women?s Music Festival, an event that presented 50 acts on five stages.
Communicator, writer, entrepreneur, and recording artist: as she embraces the power of possibility, Gayle Day?s achievements are as varied and creative as her imagination. “I?m a big believer in just jumping off,” she concludes, “ and not worrying about what?s going to be there.”
